What is the function of orbital muscles?

Orbital muscles are responsible for the movement of the eyeball within the orbit, allowing us to look in different directions. There are six muscles that control eye movement: the superior rectus, inferior rectus, lateral rectus, medial rectus, superior oblique, and inferior oblique muscles.

1. Superior rectus muscle: This muscle elevates the eye and helps to turn the eye inward.

2. Inferior rectus muscle: This muscle lowers the eye and helps to turn the eye inward.

3. Lateral rectus muscle: This muscle abducts the eye, moving it outward.

4. Medial rectus muscle: This muscle adducts the eye, moving it inward.

5. Superior oblique muscle: This muscle elevates the eye and helps to turn the eye outward.

6. Inferior oblique muscle: This muscle depresses the eye and helps to turn the eye outward.

These muscles work together to provide a wide range of eye movements, allowing us to scan the visual environment and focus on objects of interest. The coordination of these muscles is controlled by the brain, which sends signals to the muscles via the cranial nerves.